Record Description

This collection consists of the following:

Deed records and indexes (1852-1920)

Marriage records and indexes (1913-1950)

Citation for This Collection

The following citation refers to the original source of the data and images published on FamilySearch.org Historical Records. It may include the author, custodian, publisher, and archive for the original records.

Family History Library Microfilm and item numbers for the source materials

Deed Indexes

Deeds

Key genealogical facts found in land and property records may include:

Names of interested individuals

Date of transaction

Monies exchanged

Legal description of the land parcel

Name of witnesses

Any other pertinent information such as death or estate information or names of dependent children

How to Use the Record

To begin your search it is helpful to know the following:

The place where the event occurred.

The approximate date the event occurred.

The name of the individual or individuals such as the names of the bride and groom.

Search the Collection

To search the collection select "Browse through images" on the initial collection page ⇒Select the county ⇒Select the Record Type, Date Range and Volume which takes you to the images

Look at the images one by one comparing the information with what you already know about your ancestors to determine which one is your ancestor. You may need to compare the information about more than one person to make this determination.

Using the Information

When you have located your ancestor’s record, carefully evaluate each piece of information given. These pieces of information may give you new biographical details. Add this new information to your records of each family. The information may also lead you to other records about your ancestors. The following examples show ways you can use the information:

Use the marriage date and place as the basis for compiling a new family group or for verifying existing information.

Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth of each partner to find a couple's birth records and parents' names.

Use the birth date or age along with the place of birth to find the family in census records.

Use the residence and names of the parents to locate church and land records.

Use the parent’s birth places to find former residences and to establish a migration pattern for the family.

Tips to Keep in Mind

The name of the officiator may be a clue to their religion or area of residence in the county.

The name of the undertaker, mortuary, or cemetery could lead you to funeral and cemetery records which often include the names and residences of other family members.

Compile the entries for every person who has the same surname. This is especially helpful in rural areas or if the surname is unusual.

Continue to search the records to identify children, siblings, parents, and other relatives who may have been born, married, or died in the same county or nearby. This can help you identify other generations of your family or even the second marriage of a parent. Repeat this process for each new generation you identify.

When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

When looking for a person who had a common name, look at all the entries for the name before deciding which is correct.

Earlier records may not contain as much information as the records created after the late 1800s.

There is also some variation in the information given from one record to another record.

Unable to Find Your Ancestor?

Check for variant spellings of the surnames.

Check for an index. There are often indexes at the beginning of each volume.

Related Websites

Related Wiki Articles

Contributions to This Article

We welcome user additions to FamilySearch Historical Records wiki articles. Guidelines are available to help you make changes. Thank you for any contributions you may provide. If you would like to get more involved join the WikiProject FamilySearch Records.

Citing FamilySearch Historical Collections

When you copy information from a record, you should also list where you found the information. This will help you or others to find the record again. It is also good to keep track of records where you did not find information, including the names of the people you looked for in the records.